The Ilorin Emirate Staff of Kwara State University (KWASU), under the leadership of Professor Ibrahim Laro Abubakar, has congratulated Professor AbdulRasheed Na’Allah on his recent recognition as a Distinguished Alumnus by the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN).
in a statement issued by the association and signed by her secretary, Dr. Abdullahi Bakare to celebrate the illustrious son of Ilorin, Professor Na’Allah was described as the administrator per excellence and a perfect icon made by Unilorin.
The award, presented during UNILORIN’s 50th anniversary celebration on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, honours Professor Na’Allah for his outstanding contributions to higher education in Africa and his enduring representation of the UNILORIN brand.
Describing him as “the iconic pride of the Emirate,” the KWASU Ilorin Emirate community praised his remarkable academic journey, which they say reflects the values and excellence associated with the Ilorin heritage.
From his humble beginnings to academic heights, Na’Allah has consistently upheld the cultural identity of his people. He earned his BA in 1988 from UNILORIN with a thesis on “Dadakuada: The Trends in the Development of Ilorin Traditional Oral Poetry”, later published in African Notes. He went on to obtain an MA in Literature in English (1992) from UNILORIN and a PhD in Comparative Literature from the University of Alberta, Canada, in 1999.
Na’Allah served as a professor and chair of African-American Studies at Western Illinois University before being appointed the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of KWASU. His leadership returned indigenous knowledge from the diaspora to the homeland, integrating global best practices with local relevance.
Under his guidance, KWASU became the first Nigerian university conceived with a community development focus. It also pioneered programmes in Aeronautics and Astronautics, expanding its academic reach and infrastructure to support innovation, entrepreneurship, and ICT.
His decade-long leadership (2009–2019) laid a solid foundation for KWASU’s global stature. Following his tenure, Na’Allah was appointed the 6th substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, serving until June 30, 2024. He holds the record as Nigeria’s longest-serving Vice-Chancellor, surpassing Professor Oladipo Akinkugbe’s 13-year tenure at Ahmadu Bello University.
The Emirate staff drew comparisons between Na’Allah and revered Ilorin scholars like Sheikh Adam Abdullahi Al-Ilory and Sheikh Muhammad Kamaluddeen Al-Adabiy. They noted his unique combination of classical Islamic scholarship and modern academic rigor.
To them, the award is not just a personal achievement but a reflection of collective excellence and heritage. “A tree is known by its fruit, and a flower by its root,” the statement reads.
In a heartfelt tribute, the Emirate community thanked Professor Na’Allah for his leadership, mentorship, and impact on lives and institutions. “Thank you for the minds you have ignited, the souls you have lifted, and the futures you have carved,” the message concluded.
The Vice-Chairman, Professor Shehu Salau and the PRO who also doubles as the Director of the Alumni, Kwara State University, Malete, Mr Abdulrasaq Sanni presented a frame as a token of celebration to the celebrated Icon, Professor AbdulRasheed Na’Allah.
They also offered prayers for continued divine guidance and protection in his journey ahead.
, under the leadership of Professor Ibrahim Laro Abubakar, has congratulated Professor AbdulRasheed Na’Allah on his recent recognition as a Distinguished Alumnus by the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN).){kind=link}